The problem is that remote ship inspections require
onboard crew to assist shoreside operators to complete
the examinations – a signifi cant increase in workload for
already fatigued seafarers.
Mr Malterud, a former chief engineer and ship inspec-tor,
highlights that as a massive problem. ‘It is a huge
safety and security risk to eliminate Port State Control,’ he
says.
‘If you are on a ship you don’t see your own defi ciencies.
You need fresh eyes.’
ACCIDENT IN WAITING
Some now fear that a major maritime incident will need to
occur before the industry wakes up to the risks of long-term
regulatory erosion sparked by the pandemic.
In its latest annual Safety & Shipping Review, the
46 SUOMEN MERENKULKU J FINLANDS SJÖFART
insurance fi rm Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty
(AGCS) suggests that a damaging combination of econom-ic
downturn, cost-cutting measures, fatigued crew and
weakened emergency response could see a surge of
accidents at sea (see pages 26-28 of this Telegraph). AGCS
said the coronavirus pandemic has resulted in a sharp
reduction in global seaborne trade and warned that the
economic fallout could unwind years of safety gains.
The worry is that even when countries do restart PSC,
many maritime administrations are moving too slowly to
re-introduce effective regulatory enforcement.
The UK suspended PSC inspections in March. Maritime
and Coastguard (MCA) Surveyors suspended routine
survey and inspection activity for UK fl agged vessels
either domestically or overseas. And while the MCA
resumed survey, audit and inspection activity on 20 July,
‘not all activities recommenced on this date’.
The Netherlands also suspended PSC inspections in
March, with a phased return to operations from early July.
However, only in rare cases will inspectors now go
onboard ship.
Nautilus has raised its concerns about regulatory
non-compliance with several industry partners including
the Merchant Navy Welfare Board and the MCA.
‘We now need to restart ship inspections so that we can
be sure the regulations that were put in place for a reason
are being complied with,’ Mr Appleton said. •
”The rules are written for a reason.
When it becomes inconvenient
to comply with the rules,
you don’t change the rules.”